Rolandvue: 3rd Week July, Tree of Heaven

Another candidate as a tree to set your calendar is the Ailanthus or tree of heaven.  About this time of year the tree produces masses of keys or samaras in light green clusters, contrasting with the dark green leaves.  These seed clusters, like the mimosa blossoms have been appearing in the area(particularly along Bellona) since the beginning of July.

This is another tree with strong Yin Yang.  Venerated in asia, it was grown for a particularly type of silk worm.  But it is invasive, can have a strong smell, and is also known as the Tree From Hell, difficult to eradicate. It is allelopathic, producing chemicals to inhibit other plants. On the other hand, it was the tree that grew in Brooklyn, center of the novel.

large leave with pinnate pointed leaflets,Tree of Heaven

clusters of seeds in July, Tree of Heaven

Rolandvue:2nd Week July,Mimosa, Clear Weed, Mulberry(dog that didn't bark)

Clear weed is a relatively common plant for the warmer months, only a few inches high.  It is in the nettle family but without any stinging elements. The name is from the translucent stems, sometimes used in biology classes to show the movement of colored nutrients. The specimen shown is at the top of Cloverlea near the mailbox. It is easily pulled if not desired and a close-up is seen in the second photo.  The stem is squarish.  One reference says edible but not very palatable.

Clear Weed, small nettle like but non-stinging,serrated leaves

almost square translucent stem of Clear Weed

Generally the mulberry on Cloverlea would be staining the road purple, but as here the mulberry crop in the area has been thin.  V says they are beyond their normal time for ripening.  So the blank space is this year's mulberry harvest.  Maybe next year.




We like to feature plants to set your calendar by.  The Mimosa trees in the area may qualify. There does not seem to be a tree right on Rolandvue, but on Bellona, as well as Mays Chapel.  To be more  precise the trees have been blooming for about ten days, so blooms really mark the first of July. Get closer and there is a sweet smell, but for some an allegic sensitivity.

The leaves are thigmonastic, respond to touch, heat, or cold.  Might be an interesting school project.  This may be one of the trees closing its leaves at night, though possibly a reaction to temperature.

close-up after shaking the leaves,did seem to respond

profusion of sweet smelling blossoms

over view of the mimosa on Mays Chapel

Rolandvue:1st Week of July: Chickory(white), Golden Rain-tree, Smartweed,Cow Parsnip

If you are waiting for the bus on Charles Street near GBMC, turn and look at the patch of chickory behind the safety railings.  There is the usual tall blue flower but toward the back there are some bright white flowers.  V says this is not uncommon but usually just one white flower to a group.  The photo doesn't show the real difference, will return with better light. Another example of variation in nature.  You can dry the root, grind it into coffee while waiting for the bus. Even close-up does not show the difference the eye sees, maybe a blue white, would need a wavelength analysis.

chickory,blue in foreground, white in background,may need to  go look

closer view of white chicory,camera does not  like  the contrast

Further along Charles, almost to the top of the hill near Bellona is the Golden Rain Tree.  Last fall this was somewhat a mystery, just going by the papery fruit, but the flowers make it more certain to be a Rain Tree. This is from Asia, said to be common around temples.  Bladdernut was in the differential diagnosis but the fruit of the golden rain-tree fits as well. This is also seen in Naples Florida, a wide range of hardiness zones, 2 to 7a.

Flowers of the Golden Rain-tree leaves and paper capsule seen last fall

View of the Golden Rain tree from Charles Street

Another common feature along the roadside last week and this week is the grass which I am tentatively calling Pennsylvania Smartweed, or smart grass. Tentative because it doesn't have the joints or knees as prominent as some of the reference pictures.  But it is one of the characteristics of the season.

probable smartweed,commonly seen along all the road sides

At least some of the smart weeds have a peppery taste which may be conclusive, it can be used as a seasoning in small amounts.
(update) Checked with a couple of foragers, does seem to be Polygonum pensylvanicum, with small knees or joints.  It is in the buckwheat family.  None of the local samples seemed peppery or smarting to the taste.  Not sure of the variation, when others use it for pepper substitute.

Cow Parsnip is so far an out of bounds topic, but interesting.  The similar but larger Giant Hogweed and the parsnip have a toxic sap from the hollow stem which can cause a severe rash.  The rash requires exposure to the sap,followed by exposure to the sun or ultraviolet rays. This is not in the neighborhood so,if interested can follow the discussion on the web.  The picture is from Cuba Road as it crosses the Western Run bridge, about ten miles north of Rolandvue.  V has found this in the city and forages the early shoots as a delicacy but there seems to be some evidence for the skin toxicity of the older plant.

probable Cow Parsnip,top is almost six feet high,toxic sap